Combination robe rail and handle



June 11, 1929.

G. L. HINMAN ET AL COMBINATION ROBE RAIL AND HANDLE Filed May 2, 1927 Patented June 11, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE L. HINMAN AND FREDERICK E.

GREENE, OF NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT,

ASSIGNORS To THE GREIST MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF NEW HAVEN, CON- NECTICUT, A CORPORATION OF CONNECTICUT.

COMBINATION ROBE RAIL AND HANDLE.

Application filed May 2,

This invention relates to combination robe rails and handles for use especially in connection with the rear portion of the front seats of motor vehicles, although the invention may be used in connection with any kind of vehicle.

An important feature of the invention is embodied in a combined robe rail and handle in which these two devices may be associated in such manner that the handle is detachable from the robe rail fixture, whereby it may be removed therefrom, or applied thereto at will. These devices have for their object the application of a handle to a robe rail in such manner that feeble persons may assist themselves in getting into and out of the vehicle, while at the same time the han-. dle is an ornamental fixture, and improves the appearance of the robe rail assembly, as an entirety.

In carrying into effect the purpose of the detachable feature of the handle from the robe rail fixture, preferably brackets provided with upstanding ears between which are pivoted the angular extensions of the robe rail are employed, and the handles are constructed for attachment to these brackets by a clamping screw in each instance which firmly, though detachably, secures together the robe rail bracket, the robe rail, and the handle, at each end of the robe rail.

The above and other important features of the invention will be better understood, from the following description, and the novel elements will be pointed out in the appended claim.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is an elevation of one end of the fixture;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same;

- Fig. 3 is a sectional view on the line 33, Fig. 2; and

Fig. l is a fragmentary detail view, in side elevation, illustrating the bracket and a portion of the handle.

Only one end of a robe rail fixture is illustrated herein, it being understood that so far as the bar 3, arm 5 and bracket 7 are concerned, these are. or may be, the same as is usual inrobe rails, there being an arm 5 at each end of the bar 3, said arms being pivotally supported from brackets, as 7.

The bracket 7 is herein shown as comprising the eseutcheon plate 9 to which is se- 1927. Serial No. 188,264.

able color to harmonize with the upholstery of the car, While the eseutcheon plate may be suitably ornamented, as desired. The handle 14, for each end of the bar, is provided with a flattened angular end portion 15, and said portion 15, together with the upstanding lugs 10 and terminal portions of the arms 5 are provided with perforations which latter are alined to receive a single pivot bolt 18. As herein shown, the bolt 18 is hollow, and provided with an internal thread to receive a screw 19 which cooperates with the bolt 18 in clamping the arm and handle to the robe rail bracket.

The opposite or outer end of each handle 14 may be flattened somewhat and suitably ornamented as desired, and also provided with a hole 16 to receive a suitable clamping screw for securing the handle to the back of the front seat of the vehicle. Any suitable form of pivot bolt may be employed for clamping the end 15 of the handle to the upstanding ears 10 of the bracket, it being only necessary that such bolt, or screw, constitute in effect a single means for securing, detachably, the handle 14 and the arm 5 to the bracket of the robe rail fixture.

Vith the construction as above described, when it is desired to install the robe rail fixture without the handle 14, it will only be necessary to use a shorter pivot bolt. At the same time, the handles may be combined with the robe rail fixture simply by using a bolt or screw of sufiicient length to clamp the several parts together as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. In addition to the advantage fol.- lowing from the capacity to use the robe rail fixture with, or without, the handle, as desired, the construction for affixing the handle to the robe rail bracket is especially strong as all strains upon the inner end of the handle are borne by the lugs 10 of the bracket, and the bolt 18, and not by the eseutcheon plate,

Changes may be made in the matter of the details of construction of the various parts,

or in their arrangement relatively'to each other, Without departing from the spirit of the invention, provided'such changes fall Within the scope of thefollowing claim.

We claim:

In a robe rail fixture thQCOHlblIlRtlOD of a bar, and at each end of said bar an arm, an escutcheon plate having two upstanding ears to receive between them the end of the .arm', a curved handle having an angularly bent portionarranged to fit overthe outerlllOSt one of the upstandingears, a single clampingelement passing througl'i aligned perforations in said arm, upstanding ears and handle Wherebysaid parts are detachably clamped together, the outer end of said handle being perforated to receive a fastening: screw for securing; said handle to the back of a seat. p

In testimony whereof We have hereunto set our hands this 27th day of April, A. D. 1927.,

GEORGE L. HINMAN.

FREDERICK E. GREENE. 

